India sees surge in foreigners’ visit for medical tourism

The arrival of foreigners in India on medical visa is showing an increasing trend over the past few years with 176,683 foreign tourists visiting the country in 2016, more than double from 76,680 in 2014, data showed.

In view of this trend, a proposal for further liberalisation, simplification and rationalisation of visa regime in India is being considered by the government, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question.

The Cabinet, in its meeting on November 30, considered triple entry on e-medical visa as against the single entry and granting of medical visas within 48 hours of application in cases of emergent requirement, among other proposals.

As per existing government rules, on a medical visa one additional entry can be granted in emergent situations. Further under the existing e-Tourist Visa Scheme, foreign nationals are permitted to undertake short term medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.